On Saturday, the young striker achieved a dream, making his league debut for Accrington, less than 24 hours after he'd joined the club on loan from Boro.

It's been a year of real progression for the 22-year-old. After hammering in 10 goals in 17 appearances on loan at Gateshead in the first half of the season, the frontman returned to Rockliffe, signed a new deal with Boro and then headed for League One Accrington.

The stint at Stanley gives Armstrong his first taste of league football and continues his impressive climb up the ladder.

As an 18-year-old he was released by Boro but re-signed two years later after firing Blyth Spartans, who were managed by his dad, former Boro striker Alun, to promotion.

"It’s for tidy, technical players but you don’t get that realism of the physicality.

"It’s hard to explain, but it’s not ‘real’ football. There’s not people’s jobs on the line, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose just so long as you play well, but in league football it’s obviously about winning a game of football however you can.

"This is a big step up. There is a lot more talent on the ball, especially going forward, and the defenders are a lot more physical and a lot more athletic, so I have to be able to deal with that. The more I play the more I’m going to learn how to do that."

After making his debut for John Coleman's Accrington in the 0-0 draw with Bristol Rovers at the weekend, Armstrong said: “I’ve grown up watching my dad play football, and that’s exactly what I wanted to do, so I’m over the moon to be able to get my first league minutes.

“All I’ve always wanted to do as a kid is play football and to make my league debut is an unbelievable feeling.

“I got a few chances, and I should have had two goals really. On another day I would have had them, but I’ve been taught growing up to work as hard as I can and that’s what I do when I’m out on the pitch.

“I’ve really enjoyed my first few days here, and I hope that it just gets even better from here.”